Electric switch



Apri 29, 1924.

` R. B. BENJAMIN ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed Sept. 25, 1919 2 Sheets-Sheetl 1pril 29, 1924.

R. B. BENJAMIN ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed Sept. 25 1919 2 Sheets-Sheet 2guarney- Improvements Patented pr. 29, i924.

narran srares team REUBEN B. BENJAMIN, 0F CHICAG, ILLINOIS,,ASSIGNOR TOBENJAMIN ELECTRIC MANUFACTUBINQCOMPANY, 0F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ACORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

' ELECTRIC SWITCH.

' Application led September 25, 1919. Serial No. 326,136.

To all whom it may concer/n.' i

Be it known that I, REUBEN B. BENJA- MIN, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at IChicago, in the county of Cook and State ofIllinois, have invented new and useful in Electric Switches, of whichthe following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description,reference being hadto the accompanying drawing, forming a part of thisspecification.

My invention relates to electric switches.

@ne of the objects of my invention is to provide 'an improved switch inwhich two breaks are made in the circuit substantially simultaneously,thus dividing and decreasing the arcing effect, and consequentlylessening the danger of injury to the switch and other undesirableeiieots.

A further object of my invention is te provide an electric switch foruse in an electrical receptacle, which will be simple in construction,durable and efficient in use, and cheap to manufacture. v

Further objects will appear Jfrom the detailed description to followand' from the appended claims. Y

In the drawings, in` which two embodiments of my invention are shown:

y Fig. 1 is a plan view of a pull switch socket embodying my'inventioir;

Fig. 2 is a section substantially line 22 of Fig. 1; l

- Fig. 3 is a section substantially line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a section substantially line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a section substantially line 5-5 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a section substantially on the line 2--2 of Fig. 1 showing4the parts in a different position;

Fig.

on the on the on the on the4 7 is a section substantially on the line7--7 of Fig. 3; p

Fig. 8 is a detail perspective view of the combined chain hook and pawlmember;

Fig. 9 is a detail perspective view of an electrical connecting member;and

Fig. 10 is a perspective View of one of the rotating contacts.

In order to give a general idea of the construction, it is here statedthat my invention is here shown embodied in a pull switch socket, havingshell and center contacts 15' and r16 respectively, fory engagement withan insertible device ot.y the Edison type, and having wiring terminals17 and 18 for connection, with a pair of feed wires, (one of A offposition of the switch) one of these contacts 19 being electricallyconnected with the center contact 16, and the other rotatable contact 20being electrically connected with tbe other wiring terminal 18, and arelatively stationary electrical conducting member 21 with which the tworotatable contacts 19 and 20 both make `electrical contact in theirmovement, and with respect to which both et said rotatable contacts aremovable out of contact in their movement, whereby as the rotatablecontacts are rotated, the circuit from the wiring terminal to the centercontact is broken at two points, substantially simultaneously. Thereceptacle contacts, switch mechanism and wiring terminais are allmounted on an insulating base 22 and this insulating base and partscarried thereby are housed in a sheet metal casing 23, having a sheetmetal cap 24 which can be iemoved for wiring, repair, etc. rIhe usuallining 25 of insulating material, such as fibre or the like, is providedbetween the shell contact 15 and the casing 23, and a cover 26 ofsuitable insulating material, of fibre, is provided above the insulatingbase 22 to prevent short circuiting of the live kparts carried by theinsulating base.

rIhe vwiring terminal 17 is electrically connected with the threadedshell contact 15 by means of a screw 27 (Figs. 1 and 4) the head ofwhich engages the flange 28 of the threaded shell contact, and the upperend of which is threaded' into the wiring terminal 17. The wirinoterminal 18 is secured on the insulating base 22 by means of a screw 29(Fig. 1) the wiring terminals 17 and 18 are provided with the usualbinding screws 29.

The pull switch mechanism comprises (in addition to the two separatedrotatably mounted contacts 19 and 2G and the connecting member 21,previously referred to) a rotatably mounted insulating contact car-`/tacts carried thereby for-ming a commutator member, an operating pawlmember 31,

(shown in perspective in Fig. 8) for impart# ing a step-by-step movementtothe contact carrier and contacts, a pull chain 32 connected to theoscillating pawl member 31 to operate it in one direction, and acoiltorsion spring 33 alsotconnected to the oscillating pawl member 31-for returning itafter it has been operated by the pull chain 32.

The central portion of the contact carrier` provides a support for thetorsion spring 33, the operating pawl 31, and the ullchain 32. The mainbody of the torsion spring 33 surrounds the central portion of theycontact carrier. One end of the torsion spring is secured to a recess34' in the. insulating base 21 (Figs. 2, 3 and 6). The pull chain 32 isalso secured to the operating pawl 31, this operating pawl beingprovidedwith two hook lingers 36, the end ball ofthe chain 32 being held inthese hook lingers, and the chain connectingthis ball with the preced-iing lball extendingbetween the hook fingers 36. The operating pawl 31 isprovided with two outwardly and laterally extending tingers or lugs 37,which extendfo-ver for engagement with two-ratchet portions 38 of thecontact carrier, the laterally extending portions of these fingersriding upon .the narrow periphery of the'ratchet portions 38,

during the relative movement of the operat-4 ing pawl with respect tothese ratchet portions, and slipping down in behind the shoulders 39inposition to engage the'shoulders when the pawl is operated by pullingdown the ull chain 32.

This pul chain 32, as `previouslystated,I

is secured to the hook portions 36, and overlies the body portion of theoperating pawl, and extends between the outwardly and'laterallyextending hook fingers 37. y

The portion of the contact carrier 30 between the ratchet portion 38constitutes a support :for the torsion spring 33, and indi-y rect y forthe operating pawl 31 and pull chain 32, the pull chain 32 bearing onthe torsion sring and also on the operating pawl, an the operating pawlbeing snpported `by ythe spring. When the pull lchain 32 is pulled itbears down on the operating member 31 to insure that the laterallyextending ingers 37 stay in engagement with the shoulders 39 of theratchet portions 38. To one end of the contact carrier 30 is secured ashaft 40 (this lshaftmay be molded in place) the end of which is mountedin a bearing portion 41, formed integral with the binding plateof thewiring terminal 18.

'The contact 2O is electrically connected with connect the contact withthe bracket `ortion 41 but also to hold the contact in p ace on theVcontact carrier.

The other end of the contact carrier is provided with a shaft 44 (whichmay be molded in place in the brush carrier). The outer' end of saidshaft 44.v is mounted in an opening ina spring bracket 45, which springbracket-45 is secured in place on the insulating base 22 by means'of aserein7 46, which alsofserves to lelectrically connect the bracket 45withthe -center contact 15 and also serves to hold the center contact 16in place on the Iinsulating base. The contact 19 is `pro.-l vided withan inwardly extending arm portion 47 having an opening through whichsaid shaft 44 projects (Fig. 5) the arm portion 47 serving to hold thecontact19 in place on the contact carrier and also to electricallyconnect the contact with the bracket 45. The cont-act 19 is thuselectrically connected with the centercontact 16 through the arm portion47, the bracket 45 and the screw 46. v

-An electrical connecting member 21 with which the contacts 19 and 20are alternately connected and disconnected comprises a face portion 48(Figs. 2, 6 and 9) and two spring contact lingers 49 and 50 forcooperating with .the contacts 19 and 20 res ectively.

The operation of the device 1s as follows: Assuming that the parts arein the position shown in Figs. 1, 2, 5 and 7 (which is the on siredtoturn the switch 01T, the chain 32 is pulledl down swinging intoA theposition shown in Fig. 6. This movement of the chainand pawl islimitedby the fingers 37 of the pawl', swinging into contact with an abutmentportion 51 on the insulating base 22.' During this movement of 18()degrees, the contact carrier also is rotated through an angle of 180`degrees, by the engagement of `the lingers 37 with the shoulder 39 ofthe ratchet portion 38 of the carrier. As the contacts are rotatedthrough this angle of 180 degrees, the spring fingers 49 and 50 rideposition of the switch) and it is de-l tacts into engagement with thecarrier itself. i

This breaks the circuit between the wiring terminal 18 and the centercontact at two points, thus dividing the arc and lessening the danger ofharm resulting from arcing.

When the pull chain 32 is released, the torsionsprin returns theoperating pawl 31 and pull ciain 32 to the position shown in Figs. 5 and7. Duringthis return movement of the operating pawl the fingers 37 rideupon the ratchet portion 38 of the carrier and finally drop oli behindthe shoulders 39, in position to catch the carrier onthe next downwardmovement of .the pull chain. The i carrier itself remains stationaryduring this return movement of the operating pawl and pull chain, as anytendency of the carrier tov travel along with the operating pawl on thisreturnmovement would be prevented bythe engagement of the ends of thespring tongues 49 and 50 with the shoulder portion` 52 (Figs. 5 and 7)of the carrier.

The return movement of the operating pawl and 4pull chain is limitedv bythe engagement of the hook fingers 36 with an abutmentI ortion 53 formedintegral with the insuiatlng base 22 (Fig. 2).

If now with the parts in ofi position, it is desired to turn the switchon, the chain- 32 is again pulled, to move the operating pawl 31 to anangle of 180 degrees. During 'this movement ofthe operating 'pawl 3l,the contact carrier also is 'rotated through 180 degrees, by theengagement of the lingers 37 'with the shoulders 39 of the ratchetportion 38 of the carrier..- When the pull chain is released, theoperating pawl and pull chain are again returned by means of the spring33, the ngers 37 again riding on the ratchet portion 38 of the carrier,and at the end of the return movement dropping down behind the shoulders39 in posltion to again cause the movement of the carrier on thedownward pull of the pull chain. During thismovement of the carrier; thespring fingers 49 land 50 ride upon the spiral portions 54 of thecarrier itself, and at the end of the movement snap down from thesespiral portions 54 into engagement with the contacts 19 and 20respectively, tlius making the circuit simultaneously at two points.When thepull chain is released, the torsion spring 33 "again returns thepull chain and operatingcpawl to the original position. y

aving thus described my invention, what l claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

1. A switch comprisinga pair of rotatable contacts; a fiexlble pullmember for imparting movement to said contacts; and a coil torsionspring for returning said pull member; the coils of said torsionspringbeing located between said contacts and servung as a supporting drum forsaid pull mem- 2. A switch comprising a rotatable onepiece contactcarrier of insulating material; a pair of contacts carried thereby;means including a pull member for operating said carrier; and a coiltorsion spring surrounding said carrier between said contacts forreturning said pull member.

3. A switch comprising a rotatable contact carrier; a pair of contactscarried thereby; means including a pull member for operating saidcarrier; and a coil torsion spring surrounding said carrier between saidconcoils of said torsion spring servingas a sup- .porting drum for saidpull |member.

4. A switchcomprising a rotatable contact carrier having a cylindricalportion, and a ratchet portion, a torsion spring surrounding saidcylindricallportion and a pawl for engaging a ratchet portionof saidvcarrier to rotate it, said pawl 'being vsecured to the spring at oneend, and riding on saidspring, and an operating chain for moving saidpawl, said pawl being held in operative position by said chain.

5. A switch comprising a rotatable contact carrier; a Contactcarriedfthereby, said contact carrier having a fiange portionterminating in a shoulder; a pawl for actuating said'carrier, a chainfor operating said pawl, said pawl having a portion which rides upon theperiphery of said flange portion and moves down behind said shoulder,said flange constituting a barrier 'between said contact and said chain.

GpA switch comprising a rotatable contact carrier; a contact carriedthereby, said contact carrier having a flange portion having a cam edgeterminating in a shoulder;

and a pawl for actuating said carrier havtatable contact carrier; twospaced contacts y carried thereby, said carrier having twospacedratchet-shaped portions, each having a camedge terminating in ashoulder; and a pawl for actuating said carrier located between said'ratchet-shaped portions and having portions extending laterally in eachdirection for riding upon said cam edges and moving down behind saidshoulders.

8. A switch mechanism comprising an integral contact carrier; two spacedcontacts carried thereby; two spaced flanges located between saidcontacts; a pull member located between said flanges and retained inplace thereby;l and a coil torsion sprino' for returning said pullmember after itthas been actuated, said torsion spring being smaller indiameter than said flanges and being sprung into place over one of saida-nges.

9. A switch mechanism comprising a onepiece insulating rotatable contactcarrier; two contacts supported by said contact carrier, and rotatablein difi'erent parallel planes transverse to the axis of the carrier; anoscillatable pull member for o erating said carrier; a ratchetconnection etfween said osciilatable member and said carrier wherebyoscillation of said operating meml iso turning said oscillatable member,said coil torsion spring surrounding said carrier and being locatedbetween the lplanes of said contacts.

10. lA switch mechanism comprising a rotatable contact carrier; twocontacts carried thereby, and rotatable in different parallel planestransverse to the axis of said Contact carrier; two spaced flangeslocated between the planes ofsaid contacts; a pull member locatedbetween said flanges and retained in place thereby; a coil torsionspring for returning said pull member surrounding said contact carrierand located between said flanges, said spring being smaller in diameterthan said collars.

1l. A switch comprising` a rotatable con tact carrier of insulatingmaterial, saidcarrier yhaving 4an integral portion of' reduced diameter;a contact carried by said carrier; means for operating said contactcarrier; said means including a pull member and a coil torsion springsurrounding the reduced portion of said carrier for returning said pullmember, said ull member bearing on and being supporte by said torsionspring;

and means for transmittingmotion fromV said pull member to said spring,said means comprising a pawl, and said pawl being attached at one of itsends to said'spring and at its opposite end to the pull member.

12. A pull socket comprising an insulating base, a switch mechanismcarried thereby, said switch mechanism comprising a rotatable contactcarrier, a pair of contacts carried by said carrier, a bearing for eachend of said carrier, one of said contacts being electrically connectedto one of said bearings and the other contact being electricallyconnected to the other bearing, receptacle contacts carried by saidbase, a wiring terminal electrically connected to one of said contacts,one of said bearings being electrically connected to the otherreceptacle contact, a second binding terminal electri cally connected tothe `other bearing, said contact carrier having a portion of reduceddiameter between the contacts carried thereby, a torsion springsurrounding said reduced portion, a pawl riding on said spring, aflexible ull member attached to said pawl, and a sprlng contact memberengaging both closed, said spring contact member being arranged to snapoff both of said rotary contacts at the same time, and open the circuitat two points in series.

1.3. A pull socket mechanism comprising a rotatable contact carrier, twocontacts supported by said carrier and rotatable in parallel planes,said carrier being formed of insulating material and having a portion.of reduced diameter between the contacts, a pawl memberl arrangedbetween said contacts, a flexible pull member secured to said pawlmember and arranged to normally lie in the space between said contactsand surrounding said portion of reduced diameter, a bearing for said,carrier electrically connected to one of said contacts, a wiringterminal electrically connected to said bearing, a second bearingelectrically connected -to the other contact, a receptacle contactelectrically connected to said second bearing, a second receptaclecontact, and a spring contact member having two fingers extendingtherefrom upon opposite sides of said pawl and said pull member intoengagement with the rotatable contacts.

14. A switch socket comprising a rotatable contact carrier, two bearingsfor said carrier, a pair of contacts carried by said carrier, one ofsaid contacts being 'electrically connected to one of said bearings, theother contact being electrically connected to the other bearing, meansfor electrically con necting said contacts with each other comprising aypair of spring fingers electrically connected with each other andarranged to engage said rotary contacts and to snap off said contactssimultaneously, thereby breaking the circuit at two points in series,said contact carrier having a ortion of reduced dlameter, flanges ofinsu ating materialen opposite sides of said portion of reduceddiameter, and oscillating means supported by sa1d carrier on saidreduced portion between said insulating flanges for intermittentlyrotating said carrier.

ln witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name.

REUBEN B. BENJAMIN.

